I don't know about you but I often turn to self-protective measures when I am faced with difficulties. Kathy and Larry's book will address this tendency and it is perfect for your small group or Bible study.
Here is a sample story:
What’s Your “Walker”?
by Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller
One Christmas when my ninety-year-old mother-in-law,
Audrey, lived with us, our then-three-year-old grandson, Raf, was fascinated
with Audrey's walker. As he walked (or ran!) away with it, Audrey became
visibly anxious calling out to him, “Don't take away my walker. I need it. I'm dependent upon
it. I'm just an old woman, so don't hurt it.”
I felt sad to think Audrey believed we wouldn’t help her and
that she was on her own. She felt she had to call after Raf and try to control
him. But she didn't have the strength to retrieve the walker or follow Raf to
supervise. My husband, Larry, and I, on the other hand, could do something and
we decided that Raf couldn't play with it because it caused her too much
anxiety.
We each have our own kind of “walker” that we believe we require in life to meet our needs. We
demand from people or things, “Don't take away my idol. I need it. I'm dependent upon
it. I'm just an incompetent Christian, so don't hurt it.” Our idol may be
a relationship, an accomplishment, our reputation…pick which “walker” you believe you
need for your security and happiness.
But our idol never satisfies. Only God can provide and protect
us sufficiently.
Tweet This: Idols never satisfy. Only God can provide, protect
Tweet This: Idols never satisfy. Only God can provide, protect
This
article is excerpted from Never Ever Be the Same (Leafwood Publishers)
which offers Christians hope that they can change their ungodly reactions
through identifying their self-protective strategies and trusting God instead.
The authors are Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller and includes biblical
principles, insightful stories, and helpful instruction. It has individual and
group discussion questions.
Kathy
Collard Miller and Larry Miller are speakers and authors. They have been
married 44 years and Larry is a retired police lieutenant. The Millers live in
Southern California, and have two grown children and one grandson. Visit them
at www.LarryAndKathy.com. Kathy blogs at www.KathyCollardMiller.com.
Never
Ever Be the Same
is available at your local Christian bookstore and in both print and digital
versions at:
